As I continue to deck the Halloween Halls , I thought I'd continue to share with you the "how to" part of my handmade decorations. This is a Gothic Vintage Welcome Board:
I used a brown paper bag, flattened and folded in half, and freehanded a pattern for the foam board.
I then laid the pattern on the foamboard and cut around outside edge. At the same time, I used the brown paper pattern to cut out my paper for the background of my sign. I used 12 x 12 papers for each half of the sign, to keep piecing to a minimum (the total overall dimensions of the board are 16x8 inches)I used black and white Valentines Day papers for the background...the words were lovely and the black and white made this an "anytime" kind of decoration!
I glued the background papers to the foamboard, with a Uhu Gluestick. Use a bone folder to adhere and remove any air bubble or wrinkles. I used regular white craft glue to create dots (about 1" wide) and then sprinkled irridescent glitter over the glue. Let dry.
Meanwhile: Select a vintage photo for the center of the sign...I chose a round image but you could as easily use a square or rectangle. I printed out the image in grayscale, so the image would coordinate with the black and white papers. If you choose browns or earth tone papers, use a sepia setting for the photo! Glue in place...(just eyeball what looks to be the center of the sign).
Meanwhile: Select a vintage photo for the center of the sign...I chose a round image but you could as easily use a square or rectangle. I printed out the image in grayscale, so the image would coordinate with the black and white papers. If you choose browns or earth tone papers, use a sepia setting for the photo! Glue in place...(just eyeball what looks to be the center of the sign).
Then I took a charcoal pencil and scratched, etched and scribbled around the edge of the white paper...to "frame" and separate better the white from the background. I used tiny stickers to spell out "WELCOME" and stuck them under the photo image.
I used vintage bias tape (black) to trim around the edges of the sign (using hot glue) and to make a hanger for the top. I then hot glued several pieces of old lace at the bottom, and added an old brooch (the dragonfly was my mom's).
Finally, the pièce de résistance, find a FABULOUSLY colored silk or paper flower and add it to the top of the signboard.
Voila! A beautiful and festive greeting to add to your door, a window, a wall, just about anywhere!
Easy Peasy! Talk to you again soon!
Paula Clare
